Abstract The way criminals are sentenced in America depends largely on crime rates, theories on how to deter crime, and the degree to which the public feels threatened by crime. Historically, various approaches to sentencing have been taken. This paper traces approaches used since World War II and shows how mandatory drug sentences, three-strike laws, and truth-in-sentencing have filled the prisons but more often with individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses than violent criminals.
Abstract The paper examines the issue of racial and ethnic bias in criminal sentencing and notes the disparity in death penalty sentencing. The paper discusses the influence of racial perception in sentencing decisions and the concept of stereotyping. The paper examines the harsh sentences for drug-related crimes and blacks.
From the Paper "Numerous reports have established there is racial disparity in criminal sentencing in the United States. The Sentencing Project states that rates of incarceration by the Commission finds racial disparity in jail sentences."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of truth-in-sentencing laws governing State prisons and the Violent Offenders Initiative/Truth in Sentencing Program enacted by Congress in 1996. It looks at how these laws are part of the justice system's efforts to reform sentencing.
From the Paper "In three decades there have been five major periods of reform. First was the introduction of indeterminate sentencing which was common in the ..."
Tags: truth-in-sentencing, parole, prison sentence, jail time, early release, VOI/TIS
Abstract This paper gives an account of the history of mandatory sentencing in Australia. The paper also explains what lessons can be learned from this history.
Abstract This essay will explore the scholarly and theatrical application of Freud's "Oedipus Complex" to the interpretation of Shakespeare's "Hamlet". It will be argued that while this view of the relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude is not definitive, the plot of the play does nonetheless fulfil many basic features of the "Oedipus Complex".
Abstract This article examines Freud's 'Oedipus Complex' theory. In this paper, the writer discusses the claims involved in the concept. The writer offers several reasons to doubt the validity of the 'Oedipal Complex', as it ignores many other factors that bear on parent-child relations.
From the Paper "This paper examines the extent to which two claims of Freud concerning the Oedipus Complex may be valid claims. These are the claims that this aspect of a boy's mental life can be considered the greatest achievement of psychoanalysis as well as the foundation of all neuroses. Several reasons are offered to doubt these claims, most of which involve speculations as to the validity of the Oedipus Complex itself. First, it is noted that the Oedipal Complex cannot be remembered by people ... "
A discussion on "In Commentary: The Potential of Chaos Theory and Complexity Theory for Health Services Management", by Margaret Arndt and Barbara Bigelow.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 1 source, 2005, $ 53.95
Abstract This paper examines Margaret Arndt and Barbara Bigelow's book which discusses the relevance and potential of the chaos and complexity theories in terms of improving health services management in the United States. It highlights that reevaluating professional knowledge and assumptions in a field as complex as health care can be unsettling, but it can also invigorating.
From the Paper "In "Commentary: The Potential of Chaos Theory and Complexity Theory for Health Services Management", Margaret Arndt and Barbara Bigelow examine the relevance and potential of these theories in terms of improving health services management in the United States. They emphasize that reevaluating professional knowledge and assumptions in a field as complex as health care can be unsettling, but it can also invigorating. Because of the potential benefits of such an approach, Arndt and Bigelow (2000) argue in their article that applying chaos theory and complexity theory to health services management is worthy of pursuit, despite potential controversy or disputes regarding the validity of this approach. Since America's health care system is plagued by inherent complexity and chaos, applying ..."
Abstract This paper takes a critical look at the book "Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe", by Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee. It discusses their theories of the beginning of life on Earth and additional theories to life on other planets. It challenges their research and data and offers other explanations and theories.
From the Paper "Was the occurrence of complex life on the planet Earth an isolated event or simply the next logical step in evolution? Ward and Brownlee seem to believe complex life is unique to our home world or at least extremely scarce in the Universe.1 In addition to the factors in their Rare Earth equation, mentioned in their book are some specific factors peculiar to Earth that may have affected the development of complex life. Beginning with the planet Mars, W&B argue that the fossil record shows that the cooling Earth developed bacterial life as soon as conditions permitted. They suggest that this may be because the bacteria first developed on Mars, which cooled earlier, and that perhaps Earth was then seeded with these bacteria carried by meteorites reaching our planet after having been ejected from Mars by asteroid impacts. The low gravity of Mars makes this more likely, and it is estimated that ten percent of meteors ejected from Mars may impact Earth. A system lacking a Mars-like planetary companion might have been slower to develop bacterial life."
Abstract In this essay, the writer analyzes the statement that the community complexity should be fostered. The writer notes that the community is part of that world and is becoming more tied to the external world all the time through links with other communities, including new communities that did not exist only a few years ago, notably the online community that people access through their computers. The writer points out that the time is long past when a community can exist largely on its own, and even the most rural communities are tied to the outside world more firmly than was true in the past.
Abstract This paper critiques an editorial that claims Arabs may be more successful at promoting democracy in the Arab world than any efforts mounted by the U.S. and other Western nations.
From the Paper "In "They'll Do It Their Way", the editor of the Economist provides an essay on the difficulties in achieving democracy in the Arab world whose purpose is to inform and persuade. The essay is informative in that it provides a depiction of both Arab and U S views toward achieving democracy in the Arab world. The essay is an attempt to persuade readers that only Arabs and not outside influences like the U S can successfully promote democracy in the Arab world."
Abstract This is a persuasive research paper that suggests that juveniles should not be tried as adults. The author argues that adult sentencing for juveniles will fail to minimize the increasing number of juvenile criminals and may even inhibit rehabilitation. The author stresses the importance of dealing with these criminals according to their age and to approach the issues that cause them to become involved in crime instead of simply punishing them.
From the Paper "As more and more adolescents are committing heinous crimes that were in the past restricted to adults, the society is demanding that these criminals be put behind bars and tried as adults---not as juveniles as they were in the past. The argument is, if the adolescents commit adult crimes then they must be prepared to be punished like adults as well. This is raising cause for a debate that is not as simple as it seems. In 1996, for every 100,000 teenagers, 465 were arrested for violent crime, compared with 318 arrests per 100,000 adults. And the Justice Department reports that if current trends continue, the number of juveniles arrested for violent crimes will more than double by the year 2010. But the question is whether the threat of adult courts and adult jails will deter the would-be youth criminal. (Rambler, 1997)."
Abstract This paper examines how the Rockefeller Drug Laws issue different punishments for usage of crack and cocaine, with the former more prevalent in communities of color and carrying a greater sentence. White women charged with drug use are viewed to have a problem that can be cured via therapy, whereas women of color are incarcerated for similar offenses. Drug-abusing pregnant mothers are discussed, as well as the differences between the private and public forms of justice that lead to racial inequality in the judicial system. Different court cases are integrated into the argument as means of proof. Behind bars, the gendered differences between male and female prison systems is discussed, as well as the constant abuse and sexual degradation experienced by female prisoners at the hands of male guards. The prison industrial complex is also compared to a modern institution of slavery.
From the Paper "The American legal system often targets women of color through unjust law enforcement and the prison system perpetuates systems of inequality found among non-prisoners. Women are mainly incarcerated for non-violent offenses and the circumstances in which their behavior is deemed "criminal" are influenced by racialized stereotypes and the manner in which gender roles are defined and distributed by our society. A majority of feminists have typically failed to address that violence against women by the state/and or military is a tangible enough dilemma and instead focus on domestic violence or violence initiated in the public sphere. Drug laws, in particular, target young and older women of color and their racially specific enforcement in the 'free world' manifests into the ultimate form of domination behind bars, a control that even transcends the color line."
Tags: discrimination, gender, justice, poverty, racism, sexism, slavery, system, women
Abstract This paper presents and examines an experiment that identifies two unknown compounds based on their solubility, reactions with various organic and inorganic molecules and the melting point of certain synthesized derivatives containing the unknown. It describes the methods of the experiment and then presents and discusses the results obtained.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
From the Paper "The final step in the identification process was to make an acetamide derivative and its melting point to discover the primary amine (Organic Chemistry Lab Manual, 48-65). However, the recrystallization process did not yield any crystals, so the melting point of the actual unknown was measured. At 108-110oC, it would indicate 3-nitroaniline, which has a melting point of 113oC in literature (ChemIDplus Advanced). In addition, it does have a high molecular weight, 138.14 g/mol (ChemIDplus Advanced), as the solubility of its sulfonamide salt indicated (Organic Chemistry Lab Manual, 48-65). Finally, it is the only primary amine that is a yellow crystalline solid at room temperature (International Programme on Chemical Safety)."
Tags: solubility reaction, melting point, derivative
Abstract In this article, the writer demonstrates through the literature reviewed that racial disparity in sentencing in today's courtrooms is a very real issue that must necessarily be proactively addressed especially since one in every 15 black men in America is incarcerated compared to one out of every one hundred white men. The writer discusses that racial disparity in sentencing is present in every aspect of today's judicial system and is so integrally interwoven into the system that the very structure of the sentencing phase of a case must be changed fundamentally if racial disparity in sentencing is to be eliminated. The writer maintains that this will clearly take a focused effort of criminal defense attorneys, the judicial system at all levels, prosecutors, and laws and legislation relating to sentencing and sentencing guidelines. The writer concludes that the elimination of racial disparity in sentencing will not be possible unless that elimination is intentional and proactive as well as fundamental, which will require the focused efforts of all stakeholders and participants in the judicial process of sentencing.
Outline:
Introduction
Racial Disparity in Sentencing confirmed by Research
Why Racial Disparity in Sentencing Exists
What Can Be Done to Correct Racial Disparity in Sentencing Discussion
From the Paper "Steps that are suggested by The Sentencing Project as those which the Judiciary can take is one of a leadership role in attempting to assure that minority defendants are not treated disparately at the time of their arrest or during the bail and release decisions as well as in the assignment of a defense attorney and in decisions regarding diversion. Finally, Judiciary should assure that racial disparity does not take place during the time of the plea negotiation process as well as in court docket management and at sentencing. Additionally, The Sentencing Project states that the court can work toward elimination of racial disparity in sentencing through institution training ..."
Abstract The term active or passive typically denotes what type of verb and emphasis is being placed on that verb within an individual sentence. A passive sentence is derived from an active sentence and does not stand alone as a basic sentence type. The paper shows that most people speak and comprehend words in the active form. The active form can be manipulated however, so that the performer of an action within the sentence is de-emphasized, and the main subject or actor noun is moved into an adverbial prepositional phrase. The paper explores how passive sentences and phrases challenge the student of English.
From the Paper "Passive sentences by nature are difficult to comprehend and interpret, because they don?t follow the logical "thought process" most people incur when speaking. By changing the position of the subject and direct object, and the inclusion of "by" in passive sentences, an English student may not understand correctly what is being said initially. For example, one might say "Perry was beat by Jake" instead of ?Jake beat Perry.? The latter sentence, in the active form, is easy to understand. Jake is the doer in this sentence. The first sentence however, written in the passive, may confuse the reader into assuming that Perry did the beating, because Perry is assuming the position of the primary noun and "doer" of an action within the sentence. One would have to review the sentence carefully to make a proper assumption (245)."
